One of the discourses in this volume--"The Mission of Little
Children"--was written just after the death of a dear son, and was
published in pamphlet form. The edition having become exhausted sooner
than the demand, it was deemed advisable to reprint it; and accordingly
it is now presented to the reader, accompanied by others of a similar
cast, most of them growing out of the same experience. This fact will
account for any repetition of sentiment which may appear in these
discourses, especially as they were written without any reference to one
another.
To the sorrowing, then, this little volume is tendered, with the
author's sympathy and affection. Upon its pages he has poured out some
of the sentiments of his own heartfelt experience, knowing that they
will find a response in theirs, and hoping that the book may do a work
of consolation and of healing. If it impresses upon any the general
sentiment which it contains,--the sentiment of religious resignation and
triumph in affliction; if it shall cause any tearful vision to take the
Christian view of sorrow; if it shall teach any troubled soul to
endure and hope; if it shall lead any weary spirit to the Fountain of
consolation; in one word, if it shall help any, by Christ's strength,
to weave the thorns that wound them into a crown, I shall be richly
rewarded, and, I trust, grateful to that God to whose service I dedicate
this book, invoking his blessing upon it.